Redskins Defensive Line: A new position of strength

The Washington Redskins and their defensive line entered training camp two years ago with low expectations from fans and media, but two years later it has become a powerful force.

The beginning of each football season brings renewed hope for many victories, a playoff berth, and expectations of hoisting a Super Bowl trophy. It has been nearly twenty-seven years since the Redskins were able to experience such a magical season. The summer of 2016 held a lot of promise and the team had high expectations after winning a division title the previous year.

The Redskins would quickly sputter in the playoffs, but a successful 2015 season gave hope for greater things to come. At the time, one of the weaknesses of the team was a porous defensive line and fans clamored loudly for a free agency and draft that would focus squarely on defensive tackles and ends.

Matt Ioannidis was selected in the fifth round and Kendall Reyes was added in free agency. Reyes barely played for the Redskins before being cut, and Ioannidis struggled in his first season. Add in 2015 free agent bust defensive tackle Stephen Paea to the mix, and it was obvious that the organization failed miserably to upgrade the 2016 defensive line. However, the Redskins added an undrafted free agent defensive end from Alabama A&M, Anthony Lanier, and no one seemed to notice.

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The 2016 season fell short of expectations and the team stumbled to a third-place finish in the NFC East. Fans were now louder than ever as they demanded changes and upgrades for the defensive line.

Free agency arrived a few months later and the Redskins added Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain (he proved to be a bust). Ziggy Hood was re-signed after being a surprise addition the previous year and defensive tackle Phil Taylor was added immediately after the 2016 season. The team also chose not to re-sign defensive tackle Chris Baker and released defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois. The Redskins added a top-five talent in the first round of the 2017 draft with the selection of defensive end Jonathan Allen of Alabama. Building a new defensive line had begun, but it would take time.

The addition of Allen proved to be a wise selection and the sudden emergence of 2016 fifth round pick Matt Ioannidis proved to be a huge boost to the defensive line. McGee was adding steady play at tackle while Hood provided solid minutes as a backup. Depth would become an issue as Allen and Ioannidis were eventually sidelined by injuries. Taylor went down with an injury in the preseason, but the seeds were planted for success along the defensive line.

One unheralded player, who was added in 2016, was able to step forward and finished the season with a flourish. Lanier proved to be a valuable signing from the 2016 UDFA class and totaled five sacks in limited playing time. The Redskins coaches and front office personnel were able to see what a strong defensive line could bring to the team and now it was time to add more talent and depth.

The 2017 season was something of a disappointment, but there were plenty of positives to build on and the defensive line was certainly an improvement over previous seasons. Fans, pundits, and Redskins media still expected the Redskins to focus on the line during the 2018 off-season and the organization did not upset those expectations.

Free agent bust Terrell McClain was released and Taylor was re-signed, but the biggest moves came in the draft when the Redskins selected defensive line standout Daron Payne, a teammate of Allen’s at Alabama, in the first round. Two days later, the team added Virginia Tech defensive tackle Tim Settle in the fifth round. Settle was expected to go higher in the draft, but the Redskins were able to add him later than expected. With these two draft choices and the free agent additions of the last two years, the front office in Ashburn had transformed the defensive line. Toss in the first round selection of Allen in 2017 and the revamped unit looks vastly different than it did following the 2016 season.

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Hopes are running high in 2018 for the Washington Redskins and a vastly improved defensive line is just one of the reasons why fans and some in the media are high on this team. As training camp continues to unfold, many eyes will be on Allen, Payne, Ioannidis, Hood, McGee, Lanier, Taylor, and Settle. Is this the defensive line that Redskins fans have been dreaming about in recent years? The hope is that this unit can step forward in a big way this season and have a great impact. Too, staying healthy would certainly be an added bonus. The cries for a stronger and talented line were heard and now it is time to watch them perform.

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